Oakwood was named by the families and staff to reflect the wooded setting.

Trust chief executive Fiona Edwards said: "This has been a big partnership project both within organisation and with our contractors and architects. Their passion and vision has made it all possible and think I can safely say that we are all delighted with the result.

"Oakwood is one the best examples of how care home services of this kind could and should be. It is a pleasure to be able to launch this new service which I truly believe will have a positive impact on the lives of people who will live and work here."

Councillor Beverley Connolly, chairman of Tandridge District Council, officially opened the new unit and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

She said: "This is a really innovative, fresh and exciting service and I'm very honoured to be part of this occasion.

"I have personal experience of mental health myself. My brother has experienced mental ill-health and my cousin has autism. These are complex issues which is why it is important to have the funding to put into facilities such as this and important to have an early diagnosis. I think we can safely say that Oakwood has a bright future."

The care home is built in the centre of the Oakgrove development, which stands on the site of the former St Laurence's Hospital, later used as offices for the trust until 2012.

It was then sold to housing developers, funding the new care home and other hospital building projects.

Oakwood replaces two of the trust's learning disability units on the site, Holly Tree and Grandview, which will be demolished once residents move into the new building.

Carer Ann Harrington said: "My twin brother will be living at Oakwood and we're both very excited about how it has turned out.

"We've seen a lot change over the past fifty years, not all bad, but he has never lived in a purpose built building."